7 Seven

Seven- Luke

After last nights events, my whole body was so sore that Drey didn't have a choice but cancel all my schedule for the day. I was sick and my body won't allow me to get up and this are all because I exerted to much energy last night during boxing. I was too fired up that I had to let it all out. Plus there's another reason why I'm so full of energy last night. Someone in the royal family decided that there is no better day to do some publicity stunt than the day where every royal family was brought in back to the palace for safety. At this point, I am convinced that everything that occurred last night was part of his little scheme to get the publics attention. I made Drey investigate last night events since no one would probably tell us what really happened, its better to entrust this things to Drey than the royal chief of security.

Since i'll be doing nothing but sit and rest in my room, I decided to do some paperwork since its my muscles that are burning in pain, not my brain so I'd rather do something useful than think of useless thing. This is also for the sake of avoiding anymore conflict and reason for the council to question my authority. I truly believe that they'll strike me down the moment I turn my eyes off them.

While I was reading some of the files placed on my study table, all my mind was directed to solving and understanding the things i'm reading that I didn't even notice someone entering my room.

"You are working way too serious this past few weeks. If I didn't know better I'd say you've changed" I soft chuckle cuts off my concentration making me turn only that my body was so sore, it didn't really let me to do anything other than wince from the sudden movement. "You should call for some therapist, your muscles might be torn somewhere after what you just did" she teases even more.

"How come you're here and not on one of your little shows?" I teased but that obviously wont work since I'm the one whose in disadvantage, as of the moment.

"Well you should know" she walks around so she could face me "The King and Queen of this kingdom thinks that the Princess should no longer associate herself to any public occasion until she learns how to perform proper etiquette and decorum when facing guys who is older than her" she proclaims then she smiles from ear to ear while grabbing one of the files on my table, pretending to understand them without giving me more details of what she actually did this time.

I grabbed the papers on her hand while she bites her lip, to which she usually does when she knows that she's in trouble. "What did you do this time? And please don't be a bitch about it and just tell me straight and unfiltered" I bluntly told her knowing that she's no longer a child whom I need to filter my mouth with.

"Rude but yet true, I didn't expect you to be so sweet to your darling little sister anyways" She whines then goes to my bed which is directly in front of me "I may have kicked someones balls last night. I was too drunk to even remember how but I do know the reason why I did what I did" She explains.

"And the reason is?"

"He told me that I should just go and have an awesome night with him, then he told me that I deserve to be shown off and just be served. That I don't need to work nor do I have to sweat. I just need to stay beautiful and ready to fuck whenever he needs me" She completes in a soft voice. I was getting furious but I'm trying to control myself because knowing her, she doesn't like being interrupted. "Me? A Princess and of high noble blood. Caged like a bird waiting to be fucked by some guy who doesn't even have the balls to raise a hand when I kicked his." She softly chuckles then she throws her head on my pillow, sighing "I mean, come on. Do you see any sort of indication in my whole character that I'm willing or that I want to be caged?" she pauses "Princess Adeline Ruth Sophia, only daughter of the King and Queen, the little princess of the Royal Palace, caged and tormented by some noble blood? That doesn't work at all" She sighs.

Now I understand the reason why she kicked whoever it was that disrespected her. I mean if it wasn't for her being so strong in front of me, well trying to be strong. I might be already gone and looking for the insane guy that made my sister feel like a crappy lady.

She's a princess for gods sake, she's been trained and molded to become a proper lady of the house but even with that she always showed that she's not someone who wants to be just a lady of the house. Hell all she wants right now is to actually get away and just be on her own. She takes as much outside business as she can so that she can freely roam around. She doesn't like to be stuck in this place because she believes that she doesn't belong in here. If it wasn't for my brother dying and all the drama inside the palace, she wouldn't still be here. She stayed because she knows that's her duty when Mark died.

Back when we were younger, Mark and I promised that we'll protect Adie no matter what. She's our darling little sister and even if I don't show it to her as often as she would want, just like how Mark did when he was still alive, I still care and cherish her and I would do everything in my power to make sure that she stays happy. But knowing her personality, she doesn't like the idea of a guy saving her. She's not the typical princess whose life is literally a damsel in distress. She wanted to become strong on her own and up until now, she always present herself as someone who is able to take care of herself even in situations like what she told me just now. Both our parents doesn't and can't understand that. They always treated her as a lady but once she becomes herself, her real self, they treat her as if she's the most disappointing Princess of all time. I willing to bet that right now, they are more concern on how would the people see us now after my sisters stunt than how's their own child doing after being disrespected by some asshole.

"What did mom and dad say after learning this?" I asked hoping that somehow, some things could change.

"They didn't" she softly answers "I didn't have the chance to explain since someone already told them that I kicked some balls from the nobles" She continues and when she speaks, you could feel disappointment lacing itself on her every word "They didn't even ask me if I was fine or not? they only cared that I kicked some balls and caused a huge conflict between the royals and the nobles" Just as I thought. They are too concern with what the subjects would say about them but they forget to actually see how their own children see them.

"Well? I'll ask you instead then" I made sure to cover up the growing irritation inside me, I still need to find out who the hell made my sister feel like crap and I seriously need to lecture both my parents about this situation. This can't happen again and I'm not settling for 'I'll think about it' because I'll definitely make them both yield once I'm done giving them a piece of my mind.

"Are you okay?"

"You do know that it sounds stupid now, right?" She sits up then she see me giving off a very dangerous aura "Your mad and I can see it in your eyes. You promised you wont do anything unless I ask you to, I don't like your name being involve again" She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes " And I'm fine. Plus I was able to kick his balls" She pretends to laugh on her own scheme but I wasn't having it.

"He disrespected you and no loyal subject of this kingdom is allowed to do that. Noble or Not. There is no excuse for foul character and blabbering mouth. He must be punish" I told her knowing that she'll definitely stop me from doing something and that I just can't allow.

She shakes her head then she stride towards me looking at me with no glint of amusement or whatsoever. "You promised! You must keep it" She reminds me.

"I also promised that I'll protect you no matter what" I stood up forcefully, making my body go on haywire because I'm still sore. I winced in pain but I'm also quick to cover it up.

"Protect me when you become the King of this country. What I need from you right now is to stay away and clean up your name. Being involve in another fight will make you the bad guy. No matter what the reason is, please trust that I can take care of myself. You know this. I promise you when i can't do anything anymore, I'll come to you for help. I always have" She spoke, assuring me but at the same time pushing me to back off.

I know how much she treasures her pride and how much she appreciates it when someone recognizes her will and perseverance to achieve whatever it is that she wants to do. Being the princess of the country takes a whole lot of effort than guys, they have to learn a lot of things and I felt sad for my sister for being bounded by our own bloodline. That is why, I know that I can't meddle anymore. Well, not entirely anyways.

"Fine I wont do anything but I'll have Drey run a thorough background check, he might be plotting something against you. Its better to be safe than regret it later" I made a deal making her know that my decision is final. Its for her own safety and I wouldn't be able to relax if I don't know anything about this noble guy. No guy disrespects my sister then gets away from it.

My sister sighs but she then nods in agreement.

"Name?" I grabbed my phone to call Drey and have him research about the guy

"Leo John Stradmoore"

"Your highness?" Drey answers after a few rings

"Do a background check on Leo John Stradmoore" I commanded

"The Leo John Stradmoore?" Drey enunciates

"Yes Drey, Do I even have to repeat myself?" I hate repeating myself, especially when I'm already irritated and in rush. Drey knows that and everyone in the family knows that, so why is he even asking me again? Who the hell is this Leo Stradstupid anyway?

"I apologize for asking again but its because Leo John Stradmoore happens to be your late brothers most hated man. They've been on head to head battle when it comes to business and commerce. Now that he literally has no one else to go up against him, he's been taking all awards and rewards when it comes to business. He is actually great at what he do but he is also a total ass" Drey whispers, as if he is afraid someone might hear him and cause him trouble.

It seems that other than my sister, this Leo guy has something against my brother as well. Now that my brother is no longer here, this Leo decided its better to attack my other sibling instead. He is seriously looking for trouble and I'm not liking it, not even for a bit.

"Keep watching his actions and all his activities, I want eyes on him and also make sure that he doesn't stand on the same area or room with my sister. He is to stay away from any of my siblings at all times" I made sure to make my instructions load and clear for Drey to do exactly what I want him to do. Though Adie did make an irritating impression when I mentioned putting Leo on his proper place and that away from her at all times. That wouldn't stop me as well.

"That could be hard, your parents just approved their family to join the coming autumn ball. Since they are noble by blood, its no shocker that they will take part this coming ball" Drey informs me with his normal voice.

Great! This is all just great. Leave it to my parents to invite some jerk inside the palace. I know that they have to decide for the kingdoms welfare but this guy just decided to disrespect their own child. Royal or not, a parent should at least put their own child first. The Kingdom can go on without the support of a few noble families.

"For now just do what I told you to do, I'll have to do something about him before the ball" I must protect my sister from that lunatic. I can't have her roaming around in danger.

"If you say so, you better prepare yourself too. The Queen requests that all the royal family members to be present during dinner. Something about an official announcement" Now this is another news, when my mom speaks about announcements, it usually involves serious topics and the fact that she wants every member of the family to be present makes it even more important.

"If you hear something else, call me immediately" Drey is pretty much best when it comes to gossip. After all, he always has his ways on finding out whats happening inside the palace.

After speaking to Drey, Adie was waiting for me to say something. So I made a move, making sure that I don't strain my already sore muscles.

"So what now?" Adie speaks up.

"You need to go and prepare, mother wants us all for dinner" I pushed her away from my bed and threw myself in the comfort of my own bed. I know that if I want to last during my mothers dinner later, I have to gather more strength and let my whole body relax and heal.

"What a drag..." My sister sighs. "I better prepare then and you" She pauses to watch me "Keep your promise" She reminds me.

"I'll try" she knows too well that once I set my mind on something, I don't easily back down.

Adie leaves me in my room while I kept thinking about this Leo John and what does he have against my brother and now my sister. Though it was a little different on my sister, still, he seems to attack my siblings really well. Though my sister is pretty much a knucklehead and would go on punching you if she can, she is still a lady and deserves respect. This may also be the reason why my parents can't see her reason whenever she gets into fight.

"We messed up by teaching her how to punch Mark. She's more of a wrestler than a Princess" I smirked remembering how Mark and I used to teach Adie how to fight.

There was one time that both me and Mark were away for some party held by one of our council members. Adie was left at home together with some of our cousins and Matthew was just a little baby. We were away for days and Adie had to go to school alone for the first time. She was just thirteen and she always goes to school with either me or Mark. Some kids from school took this as an opportunity to bully my sister and make her cry. Our absence meant that they could pick on my sister and make her feel miserable, it didn't matter that she was the princess of this country nor that she may do something in their families once we find out what they did. They literally just want to hurt my sister and up until now, I still don't understand their reasons. My sister is one of the sweetest kids I know, well that was back then its a different story now. Anyways, Mark learned what happened to her during the time we were away and she begged him not to do anything to the kids who made her cry. Even back then, she wants to deal her own problems by herself.

So, instead of doing something about the kids, my brother decided to train my sister how to fight. Being the authoritative kind of guy he is, I was then dragged on to their training. I didn't know the reason for the training at first so I was bitching about it because I would rather go and play some game than train until I catch my breath. I later found out that my little sister was being bullied that's why Mark is training her to fight. I became the protective brother and barged into Mark, asking him why we are wasting precious time training rather than attacking those stupid kids and making them feel sorry. That is when Mark taught me where to put my strength, he also explained to me how Adie wanted him not to intervene. We both know how we love our sister so much that she can literally order us around. If there is another lady who could control me and Mark, aside from mom of course, it would be Adie.

So when Mark calmed me down and told me what will happen from now on, I went on with him. We both trained Adie with a lot of complaints from my mother of course but that didn't made us stop teaching her what she needs to know, this is also for her own protection.

Since then, we've seen a lot of improvement and character changes on Adie. She became stronger and she now knows how to judge people. She knows who to trust and who to get. But then because of this, she also became very competitive and a knucklehead. Whenever she gets a chance, she tends to fight her way out and that usually ends up her beating the crap out of people. That's why its too hard for my parents to even listen to her reasons for fighting because she does this way too often.

"We made a beast bro. A pretty one to be honest though" I grinned imagining how Mark would react if he was still here. He would probably just laugh it out then praise Adie for being brave. He always liked the idea of Adie being able to take care of herself when we are both not around. I guess he is happy now knowing that Adie became the lady he wants her to be.

I kept thinking about the past until my tiredness slowly took over. By the time I woke up, one of the lady maids were shaking me.

"I apologize your majesty but master Drey told me to do everything I can to make sure you wake up, I tried knocking and calling your name but you wont wake up so I didn't have any other choice. The King and Queen are already on their way back to the palace and you still need to prepare for the dinner your highness" If I remember correctly, this one is Eve, she was trembling from touching me and shaking me just to wake me up. II can't blame her, according to their guidelines, lady maids are not allowed to touch the royals unless they are ordered to do so. Since the order came from Drey and not directly from me, she might get punished for touching me.

"You can relax now. Its okay, I'm awake and you did well" I softly told her because the last thing I need right now is crying and a begging maid. She was just following orders anyway and there was no harm done. I'm not that sensitive.

"Thank you your highness, I shall prepare your bath now" Eve excuses herself but before doing so I stopped her but raising my hand.

"Never mind that for now. I'll just go and do it myself. I'll be quick anyways. You are excuse Eve" Her eyes went wide after hearing her name, I can't blame her for being surprise since they are always addressed as maid or servants. Inside the inner palace, no one is allowed to mention the servants names. I don't know where and who started this ridiculous rule but people follow it. I only knew her name because Drey told me every name of my servants. I'm at least good with memorizing people faces and their names once they've done something good to me. And of course because of my position inside the palace, I need to know who to trust and who to protect.

"I'll be outside if you need anything your highness" She didn't say anything about me knowing her name, but I'm pretty sure she was delighted that I somehow know who she is judging by how surprise and happy she looked before going out of my room. I guess, I can sometimes be hard to please. Earning my attention requires a lot of determination and wise actions. In her position, that should be impossible but she have done a lot of things since she started working as one of my maids.

I also have other maids and a butler that systematically orders and manages everything for me. Drey is my personal assistant but there a limitation to how much he could do. He obviously can't manage what I eat from the first day of the month until the last days of the year, or clean my room and make sure that every piece that is important to me is being kept properly and stored at the right temperature and environment. This is are just small things that Drey can't do, that's why I need a butler.

He of course, handles my maids and assesses them. His name is Aaron and he is a good guy and pretty much cooler than the other butlers around the palace. Though he is also a bit around my fathers age, he knows what's hot and cool. The other maids, Bri and Teya are also well managed maids, I guess being under Aarons supervision makes them better too. I don't even have to worry about my things getting lost because Aaron reports every detail of who and whom enters my room. He either calls Drey or me if he needs to confirm something and I don't even remember the last time something went missing inside my room. My clothes and everything are safe because of them and that's why, I made sure to remember them always.

I made my way to my walk in closet and took some casual clothes, by casual I don't mean like a shirt and denim pants. My casual look always includes a plain polo shirt and some khakis paired up with my monkstraps. If this were my younger days, I might just throw on some black shirt and ripped pants then I'd probably go for some black combat boots just to antagonize my mom but since I swore to continue my brothers work, I also left that shitty side of me. Now I'm this plain boring man wearing khakis for dinner.

I went to get a quick shower and I was feeling better, all the soreness from last nights work out is becoming more manageable, I guess the sleep and hot water helped a lot. I made sure that I was looking like a Crownprince and not just some guy. I can't make my mother mad again for not cleaning up nicely. Deciding that I look decent enough and handsome as always, I made my way to the dining hall with of course Aaron and the other maids tailing me behind.

Some people told me that I took after of my mothers beauty, out of all the siblings. I and Adie look like mom and we all know this because we have our mothers eyes, nose and lips. Mom has hazelnut eyes and so did I and Adie, though mines a little lighter than Adies. All of us siblings have the same color of hair and its the mixture of both my mom and my dad, light golden brown. There is no doubt that my mother is pleasing to the eyes, she booms with confidence and knowledge so that makes her even more beautiful in every ones eyes. Even at her age, she still holds that title and no one could match how adorable she is.

Mark and Matthew took after my father and I'm guessing its because Mom was to fond of dad when she was carrying both Mark and Matthew. Dad has a unique defining jaw and his eyes always stand out for it being gray during the day and blue when night arrives. They said there a term for his eyes changing colors but I forgot what it is but surely Mark and Matthew we're able to acquire this uniqueness. Though for Matthew his eyes only gets darker during the night whilst Mark used to have the gray to blue phenomenon. Because of this unique talent of their eyes, advertisers and journalists would often come and bug my brother to show this certain talent to the world. But he never did that. For him its just an eye and it doesn't need too much of an attention.

I for one know that I'm attractive the way I am, I have to be because its kind of part of my job. Plus, confidence is the key to true beauty. No matter how you look and how you dress up, if you have the confidence to feel beautiful no matter what, everything follows. That's all I've been doing all this years and I turned up pretty good, if I must say.

The dining hall is located inside my parents own place. That place could also be mine once I get married. Though every royal couple has their own separate quarters they still have common rooms where they can interact. Those places include the dining halls, theater rooms, entertainment room, gym and other rooms I'm not sure what for.

Guests allowed inside the inner palace are usually friends or distant family member, they are always sent to the houses prepared for those kind of situations and if they do join us for dinner or something else, then we will have to use the other dinning hall. No one is allowed to stay with the king and queen on their own place. Not even their own children.

Same rules apply when it comes to married crownprincess and crownprince. As for Lady Ambers situation, she is still the crownprincess of the country but Mark is no longer with us so she was transferred to one of the villas where she can also be with her son. Its a weird system but it works so no one really questioned it. The fact that this palace is already divided into three parts should already indicate that we have a really weird system.

Aaron and the other kept following me up until I reached the main villas doors. This villa is way bigger and luxurious than the villas we are staying. Since this is the place for the King and Queen, of course it would be bigger. At the very back of this villa will be a connecting road towards the place for the crownprince and crownprincess. There are other ways to get there but the main entry will be in this door.

My servants bowed, excusing themselves after tailing me, well its part of their job anyways so I didn't say anything. I tried telling them not to follow me since I was younger but they just kept doing it so I grew tired of stopping them and just let them be.

I entered the main hall and saw a servant bowing her head in greetings to my arrival. Christian, my mothers butler comes to my view bowing then raising his head to smile at me.

"Welcome your highness" he speaks "His highness and her majesty is just changing, they'll be in the dining hall soon, shall I escort you there sir?" he politely asks but I refused his offer since I know where to go and I don't need another butler following me around. After refusing his offer he bows his head again then excuses himself to attend to the maids serving for the night. I made myself go to the dining area on my own, not wanting to explore any where else and just to get on with this crazy dinner and leave.

The dining area is one of the common areas so its decorated to fit both my parents personality. Meaning there is lesser women's touch and more combinations of white and gold. White has always been my fathers favorite and gold is my mothers weakness. Linens of gold and white covers the dining table, chairs made of gold frame and white fabric lined up properly. A touch of gold and white placemats with silverwares on top of them where already placed neatly on each sides of the plates and each were designed to look pristine and creative. A roll of table napkin was also placed at the top of the plates making the look like this is a formal party held by the King and Queen. I went to the other side of the dining area where a room is made for guests to mingle and where they wait for the food to be served.

I heard hush tones which means that some of my family member are already here. Though I don't really like the rest of the family, I still need to treat them with respect and act as civilized as we can. I'm okay with my cousins, well some of them, I'm also okay with my step siblings, as long as they don't get cocky and irritate me. There will always be a power greed within our family, and as long as I'm not crowned king, everyone has a motive when they get close to me. They can still take away my title and they'll definitely try any means.

That's just how things go within a royal family. Everyone wants to become powerful and everyone is willing to give everything just to get what they want. That everything could include family and friends. This is the kind of family relationship we have to accept and face everyday. One day we are all together and happy, the next day, everyone is hungry to take what's yours.